Ridgefield, WA - Media Reviews
Kiss and Def Leppard at Sleep Country Amphitheater By Robert Ham
Kiss are willing slaves to their own bombast.
The iconic hard rock band arguably invented the arena rock spectacle, replete with synchronized pyrotechnics, elaborate stage sets and, of course, their signature face paint and glam rock demon costumes.
However, at some point - and we can debate all day long about exactly when this occurred - the pageantry became more important than the music.
And for the many fans that packed the Sleep Country Amphitheater on Friday night to see Kiss is concert, that's something they readily accept and anticipate. Sure, hearing "Rock and Roll All Nite" was great, but hearing it while being showered in an unrelenting spray of confetti is apparently even better.
In that regard, everyone got what they wanted out of this deal: Kiss got their captive audience; the attendees got their sensory overload.
What suffers in this transaction though is the music. As exciting as it was to see singer and guitarist Paul Stanley ride a zipline to a small revolving stage in the middle of the crowd to perform the title track to the band's 1977 album "Love Gun," the audience appeared more concerned with taking a cellphone picture than anything he was playing or singing. And the nonstop fireworks and explosions, timed to coincide with big moments in the songs, were at least three times as loud as the band's instruments. Making the mental adjustment to the radical changes in volume level was often taxing.
The quartet - Stanley, bassist and vocalist Gene Simmons, drummer Eric Singer, and guitarist (and former Portlander) Tommy Thayer - also rested on a tried and true set list of fist-pumping favorites. "Deuce," "I Love It Loud," "Lick It Up" and "Black Diamond" all made appearances, but the lack of deep cuts or curveballs left the more ardent Kiss enthusiasts feeling let down.
At a certain point, though, you just have to give yourself over to the experience because it is an experience more than it is a straight up rock show. There's no earthly reason why Simmons should take a moment to spew fake blood out of his mouth, nor is there an logical point to the hydraulic platforms that lifted the band members 40 feet in the air as they played. However, it sure was fun to watch it as it happens.
By contrast, co-headliner Def Leppard's set seemed downright minimalist. There were small video screens flanking the stage and a larger display set up behind the band, but beyond that, it was just five men doing what they do best.
Like Kiss, though, the Sheffield, England-based glam metal outfit took no chances, sticking to the hits from their '80s and '90s heyday. And without the frills of a stage show like their tourmates', the unfortunate flaws in their performance were far more apparent.
Age is catching up with the band. Singer Joe Elliott can't hit the high notes that he once could with ease, forcing his bandmates to drown him out with harmonies. Drummer Rick Allen showed some obvious strain to keep up the demands of an hour-long set, even during his big midset solo.
Where the band looked and sounded the most comfortable was when they dipped back into the earliest part of their discography. Perhaps an offshoot of the return to basics sound that marked their last studio album (2008's "Songs From The Sparkle Lounge"), the raw attack of tunes like "Let It Go" and the one-two set closing punch of "Rock of Ages" and "Photograph" had the most palpable impact.
By Oregon Live 2014.
Def Leppard and Kiss Rocket Out Loud In Portland By Drew (5 Pic Included)
Two of rocks biggest classic acts took to the road just a few days ago and stopped by Portland, OR on the third date of what’s sure to be 42 sold-out performances.
Def Leppard and the now Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted Kiss brought hits, loud and a whole lot of people to the Sleep Country Amphitheater on Friday in their co-headlining tour that also celebrates the 40th anniversary of the iconic band that wears make-up.
Def Leppard grabbed the stage first after entering to The Who’s “Won’t Get Fooled Again” and playing the ending live before guitarist Phil Collen got things started with “Let It Go.” The British five-some then ripped off three straight singles with “Rocket,”, “Animal,” and “Foolin’” before giving a nod to their massive female base with the balled “Love Bites” which was probably the most cellphone videoed of the night.
After pumping the crowd back up with “Let’s Get Rocked” the band gave drummer Rick Allen a bit of a break as singer Joe Elliott brought out an acoustic guitar, as did Collen and guitarist Vivian Campbell for “Two Steps Behind.” The acoustics continued with another female favorite “Bringin’ on the Heartbreak” but halfway through Allen came back and the electric guitars roared to life for a rousing finish to the song.
Sure, it’s true Elliott no longer can hit the high notes but it’s not as if he’s straining to reach them and cracks out. Instead, he knows his limits and stops there. His lower registered vocals actually give a new dimension to the songs that you’d expect from a live performance anyway. When he’s not wailing, it’s classic Elliott, like on “Photograph” he sounds just fine live. Overall, these veterans of the stage play tight and the interplay between Collen and Campbell is great to watch.
Def Leppard is not known for long blistering solos but instead short and melodic and sometimes more than one solo per song that both guitarists trade off on and even play together. Campbell who is fighting a return of his Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which went into remission last year, played great and showed no ill effects of the disease.
Def Leppard finished their first set before the encore with the instrumental “Switch 625,” another female favorite in “Hysteria,” the all-out “Armageddon It” and of course “Pour Some Sugar on Me” which they nailed. They closed with “Rock of Ages” and “Photograph.”
The band had a pretty stripped down stage set and perhaps that was a result of them “opening” for Kiss but the setlist was a bit slim for an act of their caliber and was little different than their last tour which even they described more or less as a “hits” tour.
Yes, all the radio singles were in play but they can get away with some deep album tracks and even newer songs. “Undefeated” is practically brand new – just three years old now -is classic Def Leppard and great live. Left off. No “High and Dry.” The band is also working on a new album set for release next year and is something they could have given a sneak preview of.
By drewsreview 2014.
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